Significance
To identify the key proteins or pathways involved in sperm motility, the accurate TMT-based quantitative method was applied to characterize protein profiles of asthenozoospermic sperm. GPI, an enzyme involved in energy metabolism, was found to be differentially abundant, and validated by extended sample analysis. The supplement of the product of GPI, fructose-6-phosphate, could significantly improve sperm motility. Our study could provide new insights into the molecular basis of sperm motility and the improvement of motility in asthenozoospermia.
